HAVASU FALLS
I recently returned from Havasu Falls. It’s about a 5 hour drive from Orange County and probably one of the coolest hikes I’ve been on in ages. Check out my blog and if it interests you, definitely check out Havasu Falls:
This is a picture of Havasu Falls, and this is how you go about getting there.
1. Havasu Falls is one of 5 main waterfalls located in an Indian territory in Arizona. In order to hike in this area, you will need to reserve a spot in advance, because the Indians do not let just anyone roam through their land at will. Here is a link for more information: http://www.havasupaifalls.net/havasu.html
2. All of the 5 waterfalls are located near an Indian village. You can either rent out a lodge in this village for $160 a night, or you can camp one or two miles from the village. You have to reserve the lodge or campsite well in advance. I stayed in the lodge for 3 nights.
3. The only way to reach the waterfalls is through the village, and you cannot access the village with a vehicle. You will have to park your vehicle and walk about 7 miles through very tall (and pretty cool-looking!) canyons in order to reach it. It took me about 5 hours to reach the village. Here are some pictures of the canyon you’ll have to walk through:
4. Once you reach the village, just follow the signs. It’s pretty easy to find the individual waterfalls, the first of which is Little Navajo, about one mile from the village. Near Little Navajo, there are places you can relax in the water and enjoy the view. Bring an extra pair of shorts so you can change in and out and not walk around wet the entire time. Pictures of Little Navajo are below:
5. After Little Navajo, keep traveling down the same path and you will reach Havasu Falls. Havasu Falls is very beautiful and has plenty of room to just hang out in the water and relax. The water is cold but not extremely so. Slightly left of the base of the waterfall is a place you can climb. It’s extremely dangerous, but possible--climb at your own risk. The climb is about 30 to 40ft and you can jump from the top into the waterfall. It’s definitely unsafe since the surface is extremely slippery and the rocks are very sharp, so if you decide to do this, be extremely careful. One wrong move and you could find yourself with broken bones and no one to help you. Pictures of Havasu Falls, and the climb are below:
6. After Havasu Falls, keep traveling down the same trail (there is only one trail), and you will reach Mooney Falls. On the picture below Mooney Falls looks about the same size as Havasu Falls. However, Mooney Falls is actually much, much bigger, about 3 times the size of Havasu falls. To get to Mooney Falls, you’re going to have to climb down some fairly dangerous and very slippery steps, chains, and ladders, and the climb is mostly vertical, so this is not for anyone with fear of heights or mobility problems. One wrong move and you could be either killed or seriously injured. There are no doctors, park rangers, or anyone else on site to help you--you’re literally on your own. I couldn’t resist, so I had to climb down and see what it was all about. At the base, the power of Mooney Falls can really be felt. It’s loud and epic and it makes you feel so small and puny compared to the power of the natural world. The waterfall will literally bowl you over--it’s an amazing experience and really breathtaking. Pictures of Mooney Fall are below:
7. After Mooney Falls, you can continue down to Beaver Falls. I can’t give you any information on Beaver Falls because while I was at Mooney Falls, a flash flood occurred and totally destroyed everything in its sight. It rained and flooded like crazy and at times water was up to my waist and chest. Here are some pictures from the flood:
